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Here is an overview of Turkey’s Eastern Anatolia area including lifestyle information attractions and activities.

Eastern Anatolia

Sanli Urfa was known by the Ottomans as Urfa, and was awarded its prefix, ‘glorious’ for its role in resisting the French in the 1920’s. It is one of the most ancient areas of settlement, and is believed by some to be the ancient city of Ur. Today, it proudly displays the remnants of the many civilisations which have made it their home. One of its most impressive sights is the Halil Rahman Mosque with its sacred pools of carp. You can also see the cave where Abraham is believed to have been born. Both lie at the foot of a hill crowned by an ancient citadel. Just 48kms to the south is the ancient city of Harran, mentioned in the Bible, with its beehive shaped dwellings, which were probably designed in the 3rd BC. It is believed to be the oldest settlement, which has been continuously occupied, in the world. Property in Turkey in and around Eastern Anatolia is in a very traditional and cultured setting.

Diyarbakir, on the banks of the Tigris, is renowned for its black basalt walls, decorated with inscriptions and bas reliefs, which surround the old city and have 16 towers and 5 gates. Diyarbakir’s Ulu Cami or ‘Great Mosque’ is one of the holiest sites in the Islamic world.

Lake Van is Turkey’s largest lake, and is the biggest sodium carbonate lake in the world. It is also one of the world’s highest, at 1,650 metres above sea level. The water is so alkaline that the villagers can wash their clothes in it without using soap. It is also very salty. The scenery here is stunning – surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the highest of which, Suphan Dagi is over 4000 metres. There are four islands in the lake, the largest of which is Akdamar Island, which can be reached by boat. It is home to the church of the Holy Cross, built by the 10^th century Armenian King, Gagik, Erzurum was located on one of the main caravan routes between Europe and India, and was, therefore, fought over by many different civilisations. Most that remains of interest today is from the Seljuk era including the religious seminaries, the Cifte Minareli Medrese with its twin minarets, and the Yakut Medrese. Also impressive is the Byzantine citadel, from which there are excellent views over the city.

43kms from Kars is the ruined city of Ani. In order to visit it you need to obtain permission from the tourist office in Kars, known to the Turks as Ocakli, it was founded by the Armenians in the 4^th century BC, and reached the height of its prosperity under King Gagik I. Its city walls, medieval churches and grand cathedral are magnificent.

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